Dispute over ministerial appointment of SF

21 December 2018 12:02 am - 62 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardene said yesterday that a dispute arose as to how Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, as a retired military officer, could work with President Maithripala Sirisena as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

Mr. Abeywardene told a media conference that Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka’s name was included in the list of names which were sent to the President but there was an issue on how the President (who is the head of armed forces), and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka could work together in the Cabinet.

He said the matter could be sorted out as the Defence Secretary had already pointed out that Mr. Fonseka was only a retired military officer and could hold any other position in addition to the post of Field Marshal.

He said more ministers will be sworn in after President Maithripala Sirisena returns from an overseas tour which he intends to undertake shortly.

“A 30 member Cabinet was sworn in initially to overcome the crisis which is pertaining to allocation of funds. Others will be sworn in later,” he said.

It was also mentioned that legal advice would be sought on increasing the number of Ministers in the Cabinet.

However, the Minister said he was not aware of what happened with MP Palitha Range Bandara, who was not given a ministerial portfolio.

“Mr. Range Bandara’s name was also included in the list which was sent to the President but I am not aware as to why he was not appointed as a minister. However, we expect to resolve these matters soon,” he said. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 62

GH Friday, 21 December 2018 12:21 AM

Kick out this bugger of hoot; FONSEKA, a traitor.

gamini Friday, 21 December 2018 10:08 AM

what did he trait? proof please

Boniface Friday, 21 December 2018 10:26 AM

Mind your language GH. Are you a henchman of MR who never went to the battle field?

Fonsi Friday, 21 December 2018 11:30 AM

@Gamini, Its nothing but "white Flags"

LAL Friday, 21 December 2018 02:58 PM

Educated people talk and act like developed people. And they don't trouble or damage others name for their personal benefit . Please learn to respect people who are respected . He saved you (together with others contribution ) . People should learn to be honest first.

Ghd Friday, 21 December 2018 03:24 PM

How can you called him a traitor who sacrificed his life to win the war. Don’t be fooled MR gang talks and they are the traitors in looting people’s money

Jaliya Friday, 21 December 2018 12:47 AM

“A 30 member Cabinet was sworn in initially to overcome the crisis which is pertaining to allocation of funds. Others will be sworn in later,” he said. It was also mentioned that legal advice would be sought on increasing the number of Ministers in the Cabinet. ...... Of course we must ensure nondiscriminatory and a balanced parliament ….. everyone is given a chance to loot.

Siri de Alwis Friday, 21 December 2018 12:50 AM

why the hell the Prime Minister didn‘t Protest?

Tamil Friday, 21 December 2018 11:14 AM

This is the problem,he is a very weak person and has just the amount of guts to protest only for his own position.

Citizen Perera Friday, 21 December 2018 05:02 PM

We have a extremely weak ,spineless prime minister..he should leave his seat immediately.

Kalu Friday, 21 December 2018 07:40 PM

Tamil are you Tamil spokesman for MR

Doratupala Friday, 21 December 2018 12:59 AM

“.......in addition to the post of Field Marshal.”Field Marshal is NOT a POST - but a RANK- in our case a CEREMONIAL rank at that,There is specific reference to our one and only Field Mrshal.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_marshalHis rank - I don’t think precludes him from political posts.- but his approach to things political is another issue- I guess!

Pete Friday, 21 December 2018 10:15 AM

Dont forget not only did he steer and win the war, but was put behind bars for political reasons by the former regime. Problem started when he refused to sigh papers to get down weapons which was not needed when the war was done and over.

Rasheed Friday, 21 December 2018 10:54 AM

Yes, this shows how ignorant is our Prez.

Jaliya Friday, 21 December 2018 11:50 AM

Though it is a "rank" by definition Field Marshal was a "post" by his recent actions. In fact he was a dead post during his tenure as the head of Wild Life ministry. After seeing many deceased elephants due to the railway accidents, he absolutely did nothing. A person who was in the position of authority to mitigate such issue, he was having round table talks of nonsense.

rew Friday, 21 December 2018 11:56 AM

Who is Sirisena to oppose PM's recommendations?

Neil Friday, 21 December 2018 01:20 AM

Does it mean that being a retired military officer is a disqualification. It should be the other way around. With a retired officer being nominated for cabinet, Sirisena has on moral right to hold the Ministry of Defense.

Mandy Friday, 21 December 2018 12:33 PM

Remember Eisenhower became president of USA after war. He retired as a General in the 2nd WW.

xxx Friday, 21 December 2018 01:10 PM

@mandy: correct. He was a 5 star general, equal to a field marshal.

Megan Friday, 21 December 2018 02:07 AM

Out of the 196 countries in the world there are only a few left where President has not visited.

Mevan Friday, 21 December 2018 02:20 AM

Compared to some of the rogues who have been appointed, Palitha Range(oya enawada) Bandara who exposed the dirty bribery aspect of SL politicians should have been one of the first to be given minister post.

Nalin Friday, 21 December 2018 02:27 AM

He deserves this. He forgot how he was treated by MR and who gave him field marshal post.

Neela Friday, 21 December 2018 02:29 AM

It may be that some of the lame duck politicians who have been appointed to the cabinet do not like the face of an efficient military officer like SF.

Upul Friday, 21 December 2018 03:07 AM

What are these bull shit excuses, didn't they work together previously?

Leo Friday, 21 December 2018 03:35 AM

Vajira, we do not like you lying to defend Sillysena.

Sam Friday, 21 December 2018 04:04 AM

Hold on, you want more than 30 ministers? What? According to the constitution you wanted to be upheld, you can only have 30 ministers. Walk the talk or resign.

cheers Friday, 21 December 2018 04:22 AM

President will bulldoze the baboons and the rogues. This is a cabinet that got the internal sack and thanks to biased supreme court they are in power again and the president spelt it out in front of the most cabinet ministers to the face

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 21 December 2018 10:40 AM

Majority of Citizens are utter duds like you in this country, the main reason for a failed nation.

Angoda Bakka Friday, 21 December 2018 05:15 AM

After SF flayed the President in parliament with an offensive speech recently, they cannot see eye-to-eye in the cabinet

Sofia Friday, 21 December 2018 12:36 PM

That is strange because MR and MS traded most serious charges but they ganged up for personal benefit. But SF is honest and says what he says straight which MS cannot handle,

DHA Friday, 21 December 2018 05:43 AM

How can you'll solve the problems of the masses if you'll can't solve your problems internally ?

Sunil Friday, 21 December 2018 06:34 AM

This guy does not deserve a cabinet post.

Ghost Friday, 21 December 2018 07:21 AM

Naturally, like MR like MS!!!!!

Cobra Friday, 21 December 2018 07:26 AM

It's just a matter of MS taking orders from MR-hence since Fonseka is MR's enemy he is also MS's enemy. As for Range Bandara they hate him because he spilled the beans about the quantum of the bribes MR/MS were going to pay for pole vaulting!!!

Globe Trotter Friday, 21 December 2018 07:38 AM

First journey abroad after the chaos!!

Nihal marasekera Friday, 21 December 2018 07:48 AM

Why this clamor for Ministerial Positions to SERVE the masses; "serves them right?"

Waco Friday, 21 December 2018 08:23 AM

It is the general expectation of the general public to see Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka as the Minister incharge of Law

dulan Friday, 21 December 2018 08:47 AM

Note that Sira is going on a much needed overseas holiday on our account!

Jjaya Friday, 21 December 2018 08:50 AM

You can’t blame MS because he doesn’t have proper advisors to regain popularity on one hand and the other is that he is unable get out of the hole he dug. If he is truest patriotic he should have barred RK from ministerial post and that would have given him some credit. But, he is still interested in making UNP unpopular and fldoes not care about the country. But, unfortunately non of his actions can make SLFP get stronger. He is only playing in the hands of the thugs.

elmi Friday, 21 December 2018 08:50 AM

What increase? There is no law to increase after all the courts sent MR off based on the 19th Amendment and democracy. Same here too. No way.

RohanS Friday, 21 December 2018 09:04 AM

Prez on an Overseas tour???? He should be denied a Visa!This episode is all about bloating the size of the cabinet, nothing new, same garbage over and over again. Bring in basic Qualification for ministers, same as any other job...

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 21 December 2018 09:15 AM

Do countries still entertain and welcome a President who has gone against the sovereign constitution of the country?

bravo Friday, 21 December 2018 09:19 AM

Ministers should work voluntarily and this should be made a rule in the country. They should not be given financial authority which is the main reason to curse this country and in lieu hones and professional board should appoint on decision making on tender matters. Also Ministers should be professionals. These should be made mandatory.

Yousuf Friday, 21 December 2018 09:19 AM

Ministers lose their income, please resolve the matter as soon as possibel

Lankan Friday, 21 December 2018 09:27 AM

Range was not appointed as he released the voice cut from his phone call with President. We all know he takes things personally

Yahiya Friday, 21 December 2018 09:36 AM

President never had high cast qualities. Under pressure real colours will come out.

Unchikun Friday, 21 December 2018 09:38 AM

This man "Abeywardene". He is the man who let is also behind the "Avent Grade" dealer. One of the top wheeler dealer in Sri Lanka that need to be sent to the political dustbin and the next opportunity.

Naman Friday, 21 December 2018 10:20 AM

Is the President going overseas to check up on his foreign investments? He has busted half a billion US Dollars during the last 8 weeks and he is going to bust some more on his overseas tour

HABIB Friday, 21 December 2018 10:25 AM

Ali Baba and 40 thieves. Now Ali baba is on one side and the thieves reformed on the other side. The question is will Ali Baba let the gang reform and do good to the country.

Lion Friday, 21 December 2018 10:25 AM

Did the people select you to be in Parliament Sir?Now you say Sri Lanka for everyone but while you commanding the war you said it's only for the Sinhalese actually MR never made such comments.

Sam Friday, 21 December 2018 10:32 AM

End of the day... all 225 MPs will sworn as ministers and deputy ministers. All burdens will come to poor citizens shoulder through taxes. They will live in a "HEAVEN", while people live in a "HELL"

Ragula Friday, 21 December 2018 11:53 AM

100% correct

Waco Friday, 21 December 2018 10:50 AM

Is My3 using his positional powers to take revenge from people?

Ganesh Friday, 21 December 2018 12:04 PM

Fonseka deserves to be given Law and order ministry which is ideal in view of the emergence of crime rate .

Imran Friday, 21 December 2018 07:40 PM

i am 200% agree..

Lokka Friday, 21 December 2018 01:15 PM

Old people like John Amaratunga, Jayawickrama Perera, Malik Samarawickrama should not be in the cabinet. They should give an opportunity to more younger and educated people like Harsha. Eran. SF is also should be in the cabinet who is an honest, corruption free straightforward man who can give a good contribution to the country other than his great achievements to the country.

Lord Wolfstein Friday, 21 December 2018 01:29 PM

The biggest danger is when an insane man is the commander-in-chief of the army. What harm can this man inflict on the country in this position?

Rasheed Friday, 21 December 2018 02:36 PM

SF fought the war. MR, SF and Gota was involved in the War, what did MS do ?

Deputy Friday, 21 December 2018 04:13 PM

M3 was the deputy of MR. At the end of the war he was the deputy in Charge

Lankaputra Friday, 21 December 2018 03:14 PM

Now with the 19A amendment and the decision of the highest court of the land that the President's status has been almost reduced to a toothless tiger, and Rajapakse would not aspire to that dilapidated throne,there is every possibility he would support an impeachment to get rid of the executive Presidency hoping he could have another shot at PM.The Presidency should be reduced to a ceremonial state but given to a Man or Woman of very high honour like the late Hon Lakshman Kadirgamar who would never betray the people for petty gains but stand up to protect principles at any cost like Queen Elizabeth

Keeraipidi Friday, 21 December 2018 04:20 PM

Toothless tigers become marketers. And regarding the Presidency, as per the SL constitution, only a Sinhalese Buddhist is eligible to become the President. And this is discrimination per SL constitution

DN Friday, 21 December 2018 04:11 PM

If ex-president can work under President why not ex-army commander?

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Dispute over ministerial appointment of SF

Comments - 62

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